The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-09-08
REGARDING FRENcHMHN.
Max O'Rell Writes Few Generlities
About His Countrynen.
From the liverpool Courier.


About His Countrymen.
From the Liverpool Courier.
The real pretender in France is not the
Comte de Paris or Prince Victor Napoleon,
not the Due d. Aumale or Prince Jerome
the real pretender is the Paris workman. Ii
you speak to him of "the people," it is he,
and he alone, whom he suppose you mean
The millions of quiet peasants, laborers and
other rural toilers he totally ignores; he is
the sovereign people" The Partisan work.
man is not satisfied with the old cry:
What is the capitalist Everything
What ought he to be! Everything" A
member OF the commission appointed by the
late French Parliament to inquire into the
Paris workmans life asked one of them to
get up the budget OF his family expenses.
After describing infinitely all the necessaries
the workman put down, For music halls,
theatres, distractions, 500 francs" Suppose
the country engaged in war, the Paris work.
man endorses a uniform and sings war
songs, but the peasant sees his land laid
waste and his cottage burnt down, and this
is why you will understand that he feels it
his duty to hate the Germans in theoreti-
cal way, but hopes and trusts that he may
be called upon to ayenge the disasters of the
terrible year 1870.
The French never, or very seldom, allow
themselves to be completely absorbed by
business. They always set apart a certain
portion of time to the amenities of life.
They are as serious as you like at work, but
in a moment they will exhibit any amount
of good humor at play, and again will re-
sumo the harness as quickly as it was thrown
off. If you go into shop at dinner time
l speak now of small provincial towns-you
may run the risk of receiving very little at
tention, or even none at all. i remember
once-it was at st. Malo, in the SUMNER
entered hatter's shop at l O'Clock in the
afternoon. A well-dressed, lady-like girl
came out of the back parlor and inquired
what | wanted.
II want straw hat, mademoiselle,"
said.
"Ohl that's very awkward just now"
as itf
"Well, you see," she said, "my brother is
at dlnner;n and after pause of a few sec
onds she added, Would you mind calling
again in an hours timesn
Not at all, f" replied; 81 shall be delight
ed to do so.n
| was not only amused, but struck with
admiration for the independence of that
worthy halter. After few years residence
in England a little scene of that description
was great treat
An hour later I called again. The young
| girl made her second appearance
my brother waited for you for quite ten
| minutes" she said to me; "he is gone to the
cafe with friend now"
II am sorry for that, 1 said; ''when can
see hims"
"If you will step across to the cafe, am
sure he will be happy to come back and at
tend to youn
| thanked the young lady. went to the
cafe, and introduced myself to the halter,
who was enjoying cup of coffee and hav-
ing game of dominoes with friend. He
asked me to allow him to finish the game,
which, of course, was only too glad TO do,
and we returned to the shop together.
When we French appoint new govern
ment official it is a new master that we give
to ourselves to snub us or to bully us.
have an interesting illustration of this. Two
young chemists lone English, the other
FRENCH were in partnership in Paris, and
| one day made up their minds to start afresh
in Egypt Each wrote to his consul in
Cairo. The Englishman's letter ran this
| Dear sir: | am about to open business as a
chemist in Cairo. win you be good enough
to tell me what are my chances of success
in Egypt and what formalities, if any,
should have to comply with before entering
upon the undertaking. Yours truly, JOHN.
By return of post he received a most polite
letter, containing all the detailed informa-
ton he wanted The young Frenchman
wrote. Monsieur le Consul General: am
DESTROYS of setting up as chemist in Cairo
Dare l hope that you will spare few min
utes Of your valuable time TO give me such
information and advice as you may con
slider likely to be of use TO meS With many
apologies Monsieur le Consul General, with
greatest respect, your most obedient and
humble servant, JACQUES" This letter was
written four years ago. The dear fellow is
still waiting for that consul's reply. OF
course his English friend is now established
in Cairo, comfortable and prosperous, doing
roaring trade in pills with the new pro-
teges of her Britannia Majesty.
| Not long ago l was told the following
| anecdote: A Frenchman and an English
man, having to settle quarrel, were locked
in dark room. The whole night the Eng
lishman sought to discover his French foe.
but failed to do SO. 1t appears that the
Frenchman had retieated inside the Chin
ney. Well, l am bound to say heard
this very same anecdote in France when
/ was a boy; but then, dear reader, it
was the Englishman who went up in the
chimney. MAX O'RELL.